Like many Otago ranges, the tract of mountains between the shores of Lake Wānaka’s Glendhu Bay and the Wakatipu Basin has a distinctive topography that’s almost geometric with crisp spurs plunging from the peaks into incised valleys, interrupted by cliffs of schist. It’s the narrow ridges in particular that are the hallmark of the Motatapu Track as you tread their photogenic spines to join the valleys of this sharply folded landscape.

Sometimes tracing a historic mining route, the Motatapu Track (49km) forms one section of Te Araroa, linking the mouth of the Matukituki Valley, west of Wānaka, with historic Arrowtown. It’s a classic, moderate alpine crossing following a well-marked route, with three modern huts and camping at the old mining hamlet of Macetown. In places it’s steep and the narrow ridges can feel exposed if you don’t have a head for heights. But while the sheer undulations of this trip can be hard work on a summer’s day, the distances between huts are agreeable and the views towards the Motatapu Valley and the Harris Mountains make it well worth the effort.

Highland Creek Hut is a moderate day’s walk from the road. It’s the second hut on the Motatapu Track when coming from Wānaka, and is sited in a subalpine basin at 842m, but the surrounding sheer slopes and tussock make it feel much higher. It’s a wonderful spot to contemplate the landscape, explore photography and soak up the alpine light.